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San Diego County No Longer 'Meth Capital of the World'
Methamphetamine abuse and drug-related deaths have dropped significantly in San Diego County according to a five-year study released Wednesday by county officials. Meth abuse dropped 43 percent between 2005 and 2009 and arrests for the drug were reduced by more than half, according to the County of San Diego's Methamphetamine Task Force. Despite the results, the county once known as the Meth Capital of the World still saw 28 percent of all arrested adults test positive for the drug in 2009 and 138 deaths. Emergency room admissions related to meth use remained unchanged between 2005 and 2009.
The county spent approximately $2,000 per addict per month, according to the study.
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